BASEBALL: Greencastle-Antrim knocks off Gettysburg

Thursday

May 2, 2013 at 11:00 AM

By Ben Destefan

GREENCASTLE — In terms of the big picture, they did what they needed to do.

Looking to bolster its résumé, the Greencastle-Antrim varsity baseball team took care of business on Wednesday, pounding out 15 hits and scoring nine runs in the fifth inning en route to a 15-5 victory over visiting Gettysburg.

Prior to the win, the Blue Devils (9-5) were ranked 15th in the District 3-AAA power ratings, with only the top 16 teams making the postseason field.

"This is what we needed to do," G-A head coach Eric Shaner said. "We understand the situation, and we realize that we need to win the games that we feel we are suppose to win."

Leading 6-1 entering the top of the fifth, the Blue Devils relinquished four Gettysburg runs on just three hits, allowing the Warriors to draw within one at 6-5.

Seemingly beginning to stumble, G-A answered with an explosive home half of the frame, capitalizing on four walks while connecting on six hits to implement the 10-run rule before Gettysburg managed to record the third out.

"We hit a wall there temporarily and allowed them to get back in it," Shaner explained. "But we came right back and answered the bell. It was nice to see the guys respond like that at the plate."

For the day, Adam Moore and Kurt Hansen each recorded three hits to pace the Blue Devils' attack, with both driving in a run to jump-start G-A in the first.

Following a sacrifice fly from Hunter Szaflarski to cap the opening frame, the Blue Devils pushed across two more in the third, as Moore roped an RBI double to left before later scoring on a single by Szaflarski, extending the lead to 5-1.

After starting pitcher Myles Gayman retired the Gettysburg side in order, G-A quickly tacked on another in the fourth, with a base knock by Holden Baker being followed by an error and an RBI single from Hansen, granting the Blue Devils a five-run margin entering the fifth.

The Warriors patiently began chipping away, as three straight walks to start the inning loaded the bases prior to a double play turned by Baker at third briefly minimized the damage.

Still, with two outs, a trio of singles from Dan Heiges, Dave Filler and Justin Martin ensued, cutting Gettysburg's deficit to one at 6-5.

Needing a response, the Blue Devils abruptly cashed in on a pair of free passes to start the frame, with RBI singles from Szaflarski and Justin Hovey pushing the lead to 8-5.

Two additional walks resulted in another G-A run prior to Danny Stepler lacing a ball up the middle, allowing two more to score for an 11-5 margin.

Hansen's third hit of the day ensued, moving Stepler to third, with the speedy senior then stealing home to keep the momentum rolling.

Moore recorded his third and fourth RBI's two batters later, extending the lead to nine before Ashtin Byers capped the frame with a walk-off single to center, ending the game at 15-5.

Stepler and Szaflarski both finished with two hits in the win, with Szaflarski notching three RBI.

Gayman earned the victory, allowing just one hit through the first four innings before being relieved in the fifth, registering five strikeouts in yet another productive outing as a freshman.

The Blue Devils return to action on Friday as they make the trip to Big Spring for a 4:15 start.

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